What are recent experiences with the soft power cooking visa in Thailand regarding attendance checks?

Recent experiences regarding the Soft Power Cooking visa, particularly the 5-year visa option, indicate a mix of opinions about the necessity of attending the cooking classes. Some users report that immigration officers (IOs) have begun requesting proof of attendance—such as photos at the class—during re-entry checks. While there is an acknowledgment that the visa technically doesn't require class attendance, recent incidents of enforcement raise concerns among expats. Historically, there have been stricter checks on education visas, and there are reports of individuals being blacklisted or deported for not complying with visa requirements. Thus, while the visa application might seem straightforward, the enforcement and compliance aspects could change at any time.